CHENNAI: Jamshed J. Irani, a former managing director of Tata Steel Ltd, passed away in Jamshedpur. He was 86. He died on Monday night.

"Dr J.J. Irani was known as 'Steel man of India" a quintessential Tata man. He made a significant contribution to the steel industry and was a towering business figure. All of us at Tata Group will miss Dr. Irani dearly, and we offer prayers for his soul "Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran stated.

Irani began working at The Tata Iron and Steel Company, now known as Tata Steel, in 1968 as the director of research and development's (R&D) assistant. He eventually advanced to the position of managing director and retired in 2001.
The "Steel Man of India," as Irani is known, served on the company board as well as the boards of other Tata group firms until 2011.

Irani graduated from Nagpur University with a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in geology on June 2, 1936. He next went to the U.K to finish his metallurgy doctorate and master's degrees.

After working as a Senior Scientific Officer for the British Iron and Steel Research Association, Irani went to India, joined Tata Steel, and progressed up the corporate ladder.

Irani received the Padma Bhushan award in 2007. His wife Daisy Irani and his three children, Zubin, Niloufer, and Tanaaz, are left to carry on his legacy.

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